A Grateful Patient’s Gifts to Support Healing Through Lymphoma Research   

A Grateful Patient’s Gifts to Support Healing Through Lymphoma Research

patient Carole Schaffer

Each and every day, grateful patient Carole Schaffer of Montville feels appreciation for the wonderful care she received from Andre Goy, M.D., chairman and director, chief of Lymphoma, director of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, and the care team at Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center, where she was treated for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2018. Since then, she has been inspired to make numerous gifts to John Theurer Cancer Center as a show of admiration and gratitude for her care.

“The bottom line is I am so grateful for all the people who have been invested in me getting well,” says the cancer survivor. “For me, giving is so cathartic. I am able to help other people who need it most.”

Carole has donated to the Clara Goy Oncology Research Fund at John Theurer Cancer Center for the past five years. The fund, named in honor of Dr. Goy’s mother, provides support for innovative research and discovery into lymphoma. Dr. Goy, who is widely recognized in the field, leads New Jersey’s largest program for research, treatment and management of lymphoma at John Theurer Cancer Center, and oversees cancer care throughout the Hackensack Meridian Health network. 

Carole underwent aggressive chemotherapy and surgery, but through it all felt the presence of her daughter, Jennifer, who passed away from fanconi anemia at age six. 

“Jennifer’s angelic strength coupled with Dr. Goy’s healing hands helped me through,” says Carole. “I credit Dr. Goy completely for saving my life, and I am a thousand times over in his debt.”

Carole sought care from Dr. Goy on a recommendation from a friend after she was initially treated elsewhere. From the start, she had the utmost confidence in the doctor, who assured her she would be cured. 

“I was scared, but I did what Dr. Goy told me to do,” says Carole. “He is compassionate and extremely knowledgeable, and the nurses are absolutely phenomenal. They were amazing in how well they took care of me.”

Carole, who is a therapist, has been through a lot since her diagnosis in 2018, but is proud to say she is cancer-free. When she returned to Hackensack for a cardiac problem earlier this year, she knew she was in good hands. 

Carole celebrates her life daily and is grateful to spend time with her husband Charles, her stalwart throughout, her two adult children and six grandchildren. These days, she enjoys the tranquility of her garden and her koi pond at her home in Morris County. 

“Somewhere deep within, I know Dr. Goy saved my life,” says Carole.

We thank Carole for her heartwarming generosity, which will continue to have a profound impact on cancer patients and their loved ones by advancing lymphoma research and offering hope to those fighting against the disease. To learn more about how you can support cancer research at John Theurer Cancer Center, please contact Nancy Kennedy, director of Development, at nancyk.kennedy@hmhn.org or make a gift today at GiveHMH.org/JTCC.

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